Jerusalem Delivered: An English Prose Version

Canto Twenty

C A N T O T W E N T Y i Already had the sun awakened men to their work, alreadyhad ten hours of the day gone by, when the troop that isup aloft in the great tower made out far off a shadowy something I know not what, like a mist that covers the earth at evening: and at last grew certain that it wasthe friendly host that with its dust isdarkening the skyallaround and covering the hills and the plains beneath. 2 Then from the lofty summit the besieged folk lift their cryto heaven with a noise like that with which in the bitter daysthe cranes go flying inflocks from their Thracian nests (and crying stridently among the clouds theyflee before the chill winds to more temperate shores): for now their hope arrivedmakes ready in them the hand to archery,the tongue to insult. 3 The Franks were well awarefrom whence comes the fresh attackof wrath and the menacing: and they reconnoiter from high ground and from there the powerful host is seen to appear. Straightway in those fierce hearts the generous heat flames up and begs for battle. The proud youth massed together shout "Give the signal, victorious leader!" and fret. 4 But the wise leader refuses to offer battle beforethe new dawn and holds their daring spirits in check: nor is he willing even that the enemyat least be tested in disordered and running skirmish. "It is good sense (hesaid) that after so many travails I let you recuperate for one full day." Perhaps he also wished to nurture in his enemies their foolish trust in themselves. 44O Jerusalem Delivered 5 Each man prepares himself, eagerly awaiting the return of the new dawn. Never had air been so serene and lovelyasat the beginning of that memorable day. The joyous dawn wassmiling, and seemed to have round her all the rays of the sun: and Heaven increasedthe usual light and desired to see these great deeds without anyveil. 6 When he saw the golden morn break forth, Godfrey leads out the armyin line of battle. But he places Raymond surrounding the Palestinian tyrant, and allthe populace of the faithful that from the neighboring regions of Syria had been drawn to their liberators—a great number: and yet not this alone, but he leavesa troop of Gascons too. 7 He goes forth; and the supreme commander's countenance issuch that from it the rest argue certain victory. A novel grace from Heaven shines forth in him, and makeshim august and grand beyond his custom. Itfills his face with majesty and restores in him the lovely purpling light of youth, and in the manner of his eyes and his limbs he seems a creature other than mortal. 8 But he isnot gone far when he confronts the pagan armyencamped, and upon arriving arranges to occupy a hill that he has at his back and on his left. And then he disposes on the plain his battle array, broad in the front, narrow on the flanks. He compresses his infantryinto the middle and makes both sides winged with the wings of horses. 9 On the left wing, which borders on die steep slope of die occupied hill and is secure, he placesthe one Prince Robert and the other; he entrusts the middle sectors to his brodier's care. He placeshimself on the right where is the open and more perilous region of the plain, where the enemy (who surpasses him in troops) could have ahope of encirclinghim. C A N T O T W E N T Y 441 IO And here his Lorrainers, and here he disposes his best-armed troops and most select, here among horse archershe interposes some infantryaccustomed to fighting amid cavalry. Then he forms atroop of Adventurers, and of others elsewhere chosen, and stations them near: he stations them off to one side on the right flank, and makes Rinaldo their leader andmaster. ii And says to him: "In you, my lord, resides the victory and the whole outcome of things. You keep your band somewhat hidden behind these large and spacious wings. When the enemy draws near, attack him from the flank and make vain whatever he was intending. He will have intended, if my guess isnot wrong, by encircling us to strike us on our flank and rear." 12 Then on acharger he seemed to fly from battalion to battalion...